Single cell genomics reveals plastid-lacking Picozoa are close relatives of red algae

Journal article

In this perspective, we explore the transformative impact and inherent limitations of metagenomics and single-cell genomics on our understanding of microbial diversity and their integration into the Tree of Life. We delve into the key challenges associated with incorporating new microbial lineages into the Tree of Life through advanced phylogenomic approaches. Additionally, we shed light on enduring debates surrounding various aspects of the microbial Tree of Life, focusing on recent advances in some of its deepest nodes, such as the roots of bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. We also bring forth current limitations in genome recovery and phylogenomic methodology, as well as new avenues of research to uncover additional key microbial lineages and resolve the shape of the Tree of Life

Authors: Schön, ME; Zlatogursky, VV; Singh, RP; Poirier, C; Wilken, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Journal: Nature Communications
• Volume: 12
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 6651-6651
• Article number: 6651
• Publication date: 2021-11-17
• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26918-0
• EISSN: 2041-1723
• ISSN: 2041-1723
• Language: English
• Keywords: Red algae; Chloroplast; Phylogenetics; Bacteria; Plastid; Cyanobacteria; Genetics; Genomics; Phylum; Biology; Endosymbiosis; Gene; Clade; Phylogenomics; Algae; Botany; Genome; Evolutionary biology